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Learn the Sea
IALA buoyage (Region A)
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Region A (Europe and most of the world): red cans to port, green cones to starboard, returning from seaward. Cardinal marks name the safe side by compass.
Port lateral (red can)
Starboard lateral (green cone)
North cardinal
East cardinal
South cardinal
West cardinal
Isolated danger
Safe water
Special mark
Cardinal marks — pass on the named side
| Mark | Topmark (cones) | Light (white) | Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| North | Both points up | Q or VQ | To the north of it |
| East | Points apart (◇) | VQ(3) or Q(3) | To the east of it |
| South | Both points down | VQ(6)+LFl or Q(6)+LFl | To the south of it |
| West | Points together (hourglass) | VQ(9) or Q(9) | To the west of it |
Isolated-danger mark: black with red bands, two black balls — safe water all round. Safe-water mark: red & white stripes — landfall or mid-channel. Special mark: yellow — a non-navigational feature; check the chart.